Dressing Femininely At Home ♡

It is one of the greatest pleasures to adorn myself in beautiful clothing and twirl around, imagining I’m a princess in my own fairy-tale. This little folly provides me with a feeling of confidence and wonder, especially during the challenging times we’re facing.

Now that many of us are at home, we can easily forget about making an effort with our appearance. The voice echoing in our minds asks, “why does it matter what I wear or how I look? no one shall see me…”

Nevertheless, I believe that taking time to look after your appearance is the ultimate act of self-care.

Yes, it is true that you are unlikely to encounter people when you’re working from home (except, maybe the postman?) but when I wear a pretty dress whilst completing my daily tasks, I find it so rewarding.

Everyone has their own interpretation of femininity. For me, it is not all pink and frills but rather, a state of being kind-hearted, nurturing and compassionate.

This must begin with being kind and remembering to look after yourself.

Here are my steps on how to dress femininely at home…

Let’s begin with the fairest of them all, dresses…

Throughout history, this wardrobe piece has been regarded as a sign of refinement and elegance. I can understand this because whenever I wear or see a beautiful dress, my heart quickens as they allow me transform into a soft-petalled flower.

In 1947, Christian Dior re-imagined the feminine silhouette with his groundbreaking New Look. The A-line and H-line were introduced and the female figure transformed. Dior created dresses of dreams for his “flower women” – the designs reflect the image we should all strive to replicate – a shape which is flattering and tailored to our unique bodies.

Find the length and shape which complements you the most. Personally, I adore dresses that rest just above the knee, with an a-line design so that the focus is on my waist. Ensure that you purchase dresses in fabrics which have a lightweight feel – I love tulle, silk, georgette and cotton; these materials are usually more flowy and will allow you to feel more feminine.

Gal Meets Glam launched in April 2018 and ever since it has been one of my ‘go-to’ brands for feminine pieces. However, I was disheartened when I discovered that this beautiful brand has come to an end. Julia Berolzheimer, its founder, wrote a detailed blog post explaining the decision and it is worth a read. Julia’s beautiful dresses have always provided me with confidence; it is so rare to discover a clothing company which helps me express my true style. They currently have all their dresses on sale and I recommend purchasing something whilst you still can.

The Mary dress is my favourite from the styles I own. It is adorned with a ‘Pretty Pearl’ cherry blossom print and is made from a light satin material which reminds me of the kimono dresses worn in China.

Another quality which I adore is the elegant silhouette; it goes in at the waist and floats out like a prom dress from the 1950s. Whenever I wear it I feel like Grace Kelly in Rear Window (1956) or High Society (1956.) Allusions to the 50s are emphasised by the 3/4 length puffy sleeves which were very popular during that era. This sleeve design reminds me of the pink dress from Cinderella.

Each piece arrives in a soft pink box, safely nestled underneath delicate, Gal Meets Glam tissue paper.

With your purchase you will also receive a card which is inscribed with a note from Julia herself!

I received this elegant dress for my birthday three years ago and it has been one of my favourites ever since. The dress has a form-fitting silhouette and the addition of two dainty both at either side for a feminine finish.

Ted Baker is one of my favourite brands for darling dresses. In April, they launched a site-wide sale with up to 50% off on everything! They also had an extra discount on the outlet and I finally decided to purchase the Kalla dress.

“Exquisitely patterned and oh-so-elegant, Ted’s KALLA dress is ideal for special occasions. The floral Elegant print lends a subtle flourish, while the full, textured skirt and subtle pleats offer polished perfection…”

They even have a matching dress coat which is on my wish list too. I think it would be a lovely piece to wear when I go to the Lanesborough hotel for Peggy Porschen afternoon tea. My original booking for my birthday in April was cancelled due to the virus so I have decided to re-book for August!

The next piece in my wardrobe is the dress of my dreams.

Needle and Thread is my favourite clothing brand (yes, even before Ted Baker!) Nevertheless, due to the price tag, I have only ever purchased one piece before…

Whenever they release a new collection of darling dresses, I always tell myself I’ll make a purchase but never do!

I first spotted the Anya dress last spring and I instantly fell in love. Later in the year I saw my favourite fashion illustrator, Megan Hess, styling it at one of her events and I knew I had to have it.

Gazing at this gorgeous gown makes my pretty pink heart flutter…

It is the epitome of elegance and last month I decided to finally splurge. Megan wears the maxi length and although it looks heavenly on her, maxi dresses are not my usual style, so I decided to purchase the mini version.

The Anya dress is the material embodiment of the sugar plum fairy…

It has an all over frill trim, long billowing sleeves which cinch in at the wrists for a feminine flair, all over-sequinned embellishments… Once we’re out of lockdown, I’m going to book tickets to see the Royal Ballets’ production of the Nutcracker at Christmas!

Recently I have been trying to only purchase pieces which I love completely – I think it’s so important to avoid trends and purchase quality clothing pieces. My favourite feminine brands for exquisite quality are… Ted Baker, Gal Meets Glam, Rachel Parcell, Needle and Thread and Kate Spade. I also adore Love Shack Fancy but I’m yet to purchase something.

Needle and Thread have launched their summer sale and after a little bit of browsing, I couldn’t resist purchasing the second dress of my dreams.

I first fell in love with the Wallflower dress when their Spring collection launched. It is a piece I could imagine princess Aurora wearing in a whimsical woodland – every detail and section of embroidery reminds me of something from a fairy-tale and I know I shall treasure it forever.

I purchased the dress in the shade Meadow Pink but you can also shop the shades Papaya Blush and Blue Diamond. The dress consists of gathered pieces of tulle, pastel flowers, a subtle bow motif and a romantic silhouette adorned with embroidery and shimmering sequins…

Rachel Parcell is one of my favourite bloggers for style inspiration and my heart has been smitten with her clothing brand for quite some time.

When I saw that some of the pieces from her spring collection were on sale, I decided to finally purchase something! I first saw the Tiered Ruffle Long Sleeve Lace Midi Dress in her spring campaign and fell in love! It reminds me so much of princess Aurora…

The dainty and elegant aesthetic of the piece is replicated through the layers of lace and ruffles; it would be the perfect dress to wear for an afternoon tea party. I really want to style it up with a pretty ribbon-tie sun hat for the dreamiest summer look.

Dresses are wonderful because they’re a full outfit on their own.

However, I love to style an elegant skirt alongside a white pussy-bow blouse for a polished look.

My two favourite skirts are from Ted Baker; they have dainty touches which add to their unique look, whether its scallops or mini bows, both pieces have a timeless feminine flair…

I love to wear dainty cardigans over my dresses. In recent years they have transitioned into a trend piece but I have been styling them for quite some time. They have acquired a reputation of being “grannyish” but I do not agree with this one bit! Cardigans are the ideal piece to wear if you’re feeling slightly cold but don’t wish to cover up your beautiful dress with a jumper or a jacket. If you purchase good quality cardigans in dreamy materials like cashmere, they will last a long time. I love to collect ones which have extra feminine details like pearls for buttons or frilly sleeves. The two I have featured are both from Ted Baker and I would advise purchasing ones with a fitted silhouette so that they can flatter your figure.

Appearing elegant in your clothes will only succeed if you take care of them too! This step is so necessary and shouldn’t be skipped. I look to individuals such as the Duchess of Cambridge, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly for style inspiration and I don’t believe they would have their garments looking out of place or untidy.

If you decide to purchase clothing in delicate fabrics, you must be willing to provide those items with extra care. Materials such as cashmere will need to be hand-washed or dry cleaned; so before investing you need to ask yourself whether you’re willing to put in the extra effort – dry cleaning can be costly and hand-washing is time consuming,

Garments made from light materials such as viscose, silk, satin all crease easily! Please refrain from leaving your precious items with folds and creases – this can ruin an otherwise elegant outfit. When you are out in your daily life, it can give people the wrong impression if you haven’t taken the time to iron out those folds! You can also hang up your delicate dresses so that the creases drop out naturally. I’m currently saving up for the pink steamer from Steamery. It is adorable and even comes in a miniature form which would be perfect for travelling. Before leaving home, remember to use a lint roller for any stray hairs and fix any loose threads/buttons.

For many of us, stains are inevitable – accidents happen but it is best to act immediately. Spritzing the marks with a stain remover will help prevent them from settling into the garment. If you leave a stain, it will grow darker over time and become more difficult to remove.

If you would like some more advice, I recommend watching Sofie, from The Milk Club’s video.

Dainty jewellery can help accent your outfit and enhance the most delicate features on your body.

In my ballerina jewellery box from Ted Baker I store an array of precious jewels and I thought I would share with you my favourite pieces which add a feminine touch to my outfits.

From the elegant gift wrap to the little blue box which the jewels arrive in, there’s something so special and unforgettable about Tiffany & Co.

I currently have two pieces in my collection; the Return to Tiffany mini double heart tag pendant necklace and the matching bead bracelet (both in pink of course)

They are both timeless and made from the finest sterling silver – one of the main reasons I adore Tiffany jewellery is because they represent an effortless image of elegance which will never go out of style. Small, delicate pieces like this can help draw attention to your wrists and décolleté for a regal effect.

Ted Baker jewellery is a more affordable option but just as elegant. Their pieces have little touches of rose gold which I adore and I couldn’t resist sharing with you the delicate ballerina necklace which I wear when I go to see a ballet performance.

The final piece is from Kate Spade’s jewellery collection. I have been gazing at this item for a while and when I spotted it on sale I knew I couldn’t leave it behind.

To me, pearls are the epitome of grace and elegance; the Disco Pansy ring has a rose plated metal band which is adorned with a delicate pansy flower made from glass stone and is finished with mother of pearl. i

in bloom: the pieces in our disco pansy collection feature their namesake blossoms, rendered in mother of pearl, gold, and stones, for a look that’s both sparkly and chic.

Silk embodies all things luxurious and reminds me of Old Hollywood glamour.

When I think of femininity and class, my mind wanders to imagery of Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. These inspirational ladies were often seen styling a silk scarf and whether you decide to tie one around your neck, your hair or handbag, I think they’re the perfect feminine piece to elevate your look! My favourite silk scarf is the Louis Vuitton Confidential Bandeau in light pink which I purchased for my birthday last spring.

Although I wouldn’t recommend spending the entire day lounging around in pyjamas, there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to a pretty pair to sleep in!

I’m longing for a silk set from Papinelle but my current favourite are the Gal Meets Glam Blush Bow pyjama set. The pyjamas are both cosy and beautiful ~ presented in a petal pink rose shade, printed with a dainty bow design and made from 100% cotton. Every detail was thought of as they are wrapped in beautiful tissue paper and tied together with a soft satin ribbon.

Your elegant look would not be complete without a fresh manicure! This will uplift your outfit and make you look even more put-together. Using a clear coat or a light pink polish will ensure that attention isn’t drawn away from your ensemble. My favourite brands are Essie and Dior for nail polish. I recently purchased the limited edition bottle of Essie’s Ballet Slippers which features the dreamiest pointe shoe illustration. This polish is a royal favourite and I adore the elegant sheen it leaves on my nails.

Even if your outfit is immaculate and your nails are pristine, a feminine look will never be complete if your hair isn’t! You don’t need to spend hours styling your hair, especially whilst you’re at home; you just need to find a signature look which is compatible with the activities you’re completing at home. If you’re working at a desk – would it help to have a half-up/half-down style so that your hair is out of your face? If you’re working in the kitchen, cooking and baking, a classic French twist would be lovely! I have been styling my hair with my fringe neatly scraped to the back with a beautiful pearl clip.

Finish your feminine look with a spritz of your signature scent – Miss Dior Roses n’ Roses is my current favourite, not only because the bottle sits beautifully on my vanity table but the scent reminds me of a Parisian rose garden.

Speaking of a Parisian rose garden, you can live femininely at home by surrounding yourself with fresh flowers….

My personal favourites are peonies – preferably soft pink ones!

I hope this post has provided you with some inspiration on how you can feel your most feminine at home!

Please share with me some of your darling outfits using the hashtag ~ femininerosebuds

I’m sending lots of love to you all,

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